3 more Kashmiri workers’ mortal remains repatriated from Himachal; to be airlifted on Sunday: JKSA

Srinagar, Sep 06: The mortal remains of three more Kashmiri workers, who tragically lost their lives in the recent Kullu landslide in Himachal Pradesh, will be repatriated to the Valley on Sunday with full dignity and respect.

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor, Nasir Khuehami, said that out of the seven deceased workers, three bodies had been recovered earlier and were initially being transported in load carriers. The association immediately raised the matter with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office and Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, who intervened without delay. Following this intervention, road transportation was halted and the mortal remains were instead airlifted, ensuring dignified repatriation.

“Three more bodies were recovered from the debris on Saturday, and the Himachal Pradesh authorities will facilitate their transfer via Chandigarh Airport on Sunday,” Khuehami said. He further added that the mortal remains will be airlifted on Sunday and, upon arrival at Srinagar Airport, transported in ambulances to their respective hometowns for the last rites.

The three workers whose bodies had reached Srinagar on Saturday were laid to rest at their ancestral villages with dignity and community participation. Khuehami added that the Himachal Pradesh Government bore the entire cost of transportation and airlifting, while the Jammu and Kashmir Government provided ambulances to ensure smooth transportation of the mortal remains to their native places.

Expressing gratitude, the Association thanked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena for their swift and compassionate response. The association also acknowledged the J&K Government’s timely support in facilitating ambulance services.

Khuehami further informed that the rescue operation in Kullu is continuing on a war footing to trace the remaining workers still trapped under the debris. “At present, only the body of Gulzar Ahmad remains under the rubble. The operation is in full swing, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leading efforts alongside multiple state and central agencies to recover the last missing worker,” he added.